Receptacle case



Oct. 24, 1961 J. w. cLuNE ETAL RECEPTACLE CASE Filed Aug. 26, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent O 3,005,568 RECEPTACLE CASE John W. Clune, Helene Road, Valley Cottage, N.Y., and Herman W. Brnnk, 590 Nepperan Ave., and William Murray, 14 Hearthstone Road, both of Yonkers, N.Y.

Filed Aug. 26, 1959, Ser. No. 836,160

7 Claims. (Cl. 220-21) This invention relates to a receptacle case or container and more particularly to a receptacle case which has no top or 'bottom and is provided with means to conveniently and quickly dispense the receptacles held within the case through the bottom.

The receptacle cases that are normally used today for carrying cartons and bottles of milk and other beverages are provided with a solid or wired bottom which actsV as a resting platform for the base of the receptacles. To remove the receptacles, it is necessary to manually lift them out of the case and place them in a freezer or display shelf of a store or the like. This removal operation is very time consuming since it is usually impossible to withdraw manually more than four containers or bottles at one time and it is also a tiring operation on the person required to perform the task. Since today, especially in supermarkets, it is most common to empty an entire case of receptacles at one time, manual unloading becomes even more burdensome.

It is, therefore, the primary object of this invention to provide a receptacle case which will dispense the receptacles through the bottom thus eliminating the inconvenient burden of manually emptying the container by removal of the receptacles through the top.

A further object of this invention is to provide a receptacle case which eliminates the heavy bottom commonly found on most containers today.

-An additional object of the present invention is to provide a bottomless receptacle container which has balancing bars or the like for retaining the receptacles, which balancing bars may be easily pivoted by manipulating a simple linkage arrangement permitting the displacement of the receptacles through the bottom of the case.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a bottomless receptacle container which may be constructed to accommodate any size or number of receptacles.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive, light-weight bottomless receptacle case which is simple to operate and has a minimum of moving parts.

Other additional objects and advantages of the present invention will be recognized during a reading of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings referred to, wherein: t

FIG. l is a perspective View of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an end-view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG.l 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1 showing the receptacles contained within `the case; and y y FIG. 4 is a similar view as shown in FIG.3'wherein thereceptacles are being displaced through the bottom of the case. Briefly described, the invention comprises a receptacle case which'has side walls and end walls. The case `is open at lboth the top and bottom. Spaced between the end Walls and afxed thereto are longitudinal separating members `which are commonly lfound in containers used today. These separating members function' to align the receptacles contained in the case. Below the longitudinal separating members and pivotally attached to the end walls, are small at longitudinal bars or the like which are normally held in a horizontal position. These bars are aiixed to the end Walls by a pivotal shaft which permits 3,005,568 Patented Oct. 24, 1961 the bars to be rotated from the horizontal position to the vertical position. When rotated to a vertical position, the bars are aligned with the longitudinal separating members. 'I'he rotation of the shafts on these holding bars is controlled by a simple linkage mechanism which is attached to the outside of one of the end walls.

When the case is being loaded, the longitudinal bar members rest in their normal horizontal position which provides an overlapping lip area. 'Ihe bottom edge of the receptacles rests on this lip area and are retained Within the case. lWhen the bars are rotated to their vertical position, the horizontally protruding lips of the bars no longer contact the bottom of the receptacles, thus permitting the receptacles to dispense themselves through the bottom of the case.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a normal carrying case 10 which is provided with side walls 11 and 12 and end walls 13 and 14. The side and end walls may be made of any conventional material and may be slotted or wired to decrease the weight of the case. It has been found preferable to use a light material such as sheet steel or alloyed aluminum sheet for the receptacle case walls. The end -walls 13 and 14 are provided with the regular handle openings 15 for carrying the case, which are similar to most of those found in cases today.

'I'he inside of the case may be provided with any suitable webbing to retain the receptacles in an aligned position within the case. This webbing may be solid or wired and may be both longitudinal and horizontal. |FIG. 1 illustrates one type of webbing which has been found preferable for retaining milk cartons in the case 10. This webbing consists of thin longitudinally extending, vertical separating members 16 which are affixed by any suitable manner to the inside of the end walls 13 and 14 of case 10. 'The vertical spacing members 16 can be of any height or size depending upon the particular receptacles contained within the case. Those shown in the drawings are about one-half the height of the side walls 11 and 12 and are centrally attached to the end Walls 1? and 14. It is essential that the spacing members do not ex. tend all the way down to the bottom of the case as will be explained later in detail.

Below the spacing members 16 and' -aligned vertically therewith, 'are thin', at bar holding members 17 pivotally attached to the end walls 13 and 14 by shafts 18. The bar members 17 have an approximate width of one and one-half inches so that when they are in a horizontal position they extend three-quarters of an inch on each side of the spacing members 16. This horizontal extension provides a resting place for contacting Vthe edge of the base of the receptacles and holding them within the case. The longitudinal bar 17 extends the entire length of the case and may be 'made of thin, at steel'having a thickness of about one-quarter of an inch or it could be constructed of aluminum or steel rods. Y g i FIG. 3 shows a case having three longitudinal .separatingv members. 16. When this construction is used, it is only necessary to provide the case with two horizontal bar members17; each bar member being disposed below the Yseparating members adjacent the sides of the case. With this arrangement, an extending horizontal section of each bar, member protrudes into all spaces between the separating members and provides Ia retaining surface to hold all the receptacles when the case is completely lled.

' Aiiixed to the pivotal shaft 18, which extends through y the end wall 14, is a linkage mechanism which is adapted bybearings 21 and 2.2'. Rod 20 isprovided with a A cross-handle 23 orthe like for moving itupwardly. The linkage mechanism comprises a short arm 24 pivotally attached at 25 to a longer arm 26L which is pivotally` attached at'2'7 to collar-'member 28.

The linkage mechanism is constructed inl suchY aVA manner that when-collar'rests upon the lower bearing 22, arm 24which is attached to shaft 18 of bar member 17, retains said bar member in a horizontal position. The force of gravity will normally position the linkage mechanism inthis arrangement whichv always provides a resting surface for receptacles to be contained with the case. When the shaft is moved upwardly by means of handle 23, the collar 28also moves upwardly along with arms 2.4 and' 26. The upward movement of the linking arm 24 pivots shaft 18 which in turn pivots the har member 17 to a vertical position. As previously described, when bar member 17 is in the vertical position, it' aligns with the vertical separating member 16 below said member and consequently there is no retaining surface to hold any receptacles within-the case and they willfall through the bottom as shown in FIG'. 4.

VIt has been found' that when the receptaclesare filled and rest upon the bar member 17, which is in the normal. horizontal position, very little force is needed to move rod 20upwa'rdly since the weight of one carton counterbalances the Weight of the adjacent carton when the*v bar member 17 is pivoted. Thus, whencarton A pushes down on its side of bar 17 it displaces the'same force upwardly against carton B on the ,otherA side of bar 17.l until the bar has moved into the vertical position at which time both cartons A and B would fallsimultaneously through the bottom.

It can be seen that by the simple vertical movement of rod 20, yall the cartons within the case may be.

displaced through the bottom without the exertion of anyv undue force. In operation, the iilled caseis placed on the standor display surface where the receptacles are to, be deposited, the handle 23 is pulled upwardly, the receptacles fall off the bar 1'7 onto the displayl surface. When the cartons have fallen through the bottom, theyl are aligned in the same position thatv they were in the case and thus do not require rearrangement for display or storage purposes. Once the cartons have fallen through, it is a simple matter just tolift the case up and remove it from the display area.

vTo prevent excessive exposure, it has been found' de.- sirable to encase the linking mechanism with a second end wall 30 asshown in FIG. 1; This second endv wall is constructed to slidably fit within grooves 31 in' side. walls` 11 and 12 so that it may Vbe conveniently! removed for inspection of the linking mechanism; Suitable elongated vertical slots 32 are. provided in end wallY 30 to enable the` insertion of the lingers below the? lifting handle 23 and the. upward movement of the same.

It can readily bev seen fromthe above descriptionthatthe present invention aiords a new receptacle-casewhich efficiently and conveniently disposes of all thev receptacles through the bottom by simply liftingA aA crossfbar handle upwardly. The deposited yreceptacles drop through the bottom of the case and position themselves in a display or storage arrangement. Although the: invention has been shown and described herein, itis 'understood that certain'changes and additions may be made'without cleparting from the spirit and scope ofv this invention.

WeY claim:

1'. Av rectangular receptacle case having sideand end walls, a plurality of spaced longitudinalV separating memberswithin said case walls and affixed to the inside of said end walls, said separating members being vertically spaced above the bottom of end walls, longitudinal bar members having a shaft extending from each end thereof,l said shaft pivotally mounted in said end walls below said separating members, linkage means having handle means connected to said bar member shaftswherebysid. bar'members. may be pivoted within saidY recep- 4l tacle case below said separating members and above the bottom` of said end wallsfrom a horizontal toy a vertical position when moving said handle means, said bar members providing a retaining surface for receptacles on each side of each of said separating members when said bar members are in a. horizontal position.

2. A rectangular receptacle containerK having end and side walls, a plurality of`horizontallyspaced longitudinal' separating members within, said case walls and aiixedto the inside of said end walls, said sepa-rating' members being vertically spaced above the bottom of said end walls and adapted to longitudinally align a plurality of receptacles, iiat bar members having a shaft extending from each end thereof, said shafts pivotally aflixed' within. said end walls belowv saidl separating members, linkage means connected to said bar memberV shafts,.said' linkage` means provided withholding means to hold said bar members in a horizontal position below said separating members to retain a longitudinally aligned plurality of receptacles on each sideof each'of said separating members, said linkage means provided with handle whereby said bar members may be pivoted aboutsaid bar'member` shafts from said horizontal position to a vertical position aligned with said separating members and above the; bottom of said container Walls when moving said handle means.

3. A receptacle case having end and side walls, a posed separating members within saidy case walls and aii'ixed to the inside of said. Walls,.longitudinal thin at bar members pivotally aiiixed to said end walls belowl said separating members and above the bottom; edge of;A said case walls whereby said bar members may pivot from a. horizontal to a vertical position below said separating members and above the bottom edge of said case walls, each of said flat bar members adapted to retain; two rows of longitudinally aligned receptacles within said case, linkage means connectedlto said bar members adjacent one of said end walls, said linkage means come prising a pair of pivotally joined arms, one end of each' of' said arms being connected. to one of said banmembers, and means cooperating with said. linkage' meansl for holding said bar members in a horizontal position, said linkage means provided with movable handle means, said handle means cooperating with said linkage means connected to said bar members whereby said bar members. may be pivoted from said horizontal position to a vertical position within said case walls when said handle' meansy ismoved in a vertical direction.

4. A rectangular receptacle container having side and end walls and a plurality of vertical stationary receptacle separating members secured to the inside of said walls and spacedV from the bottom thereof, longitudinal barl members pivotally mounted within said end'walls below said separating members and` adapted tol pivot within said case below .said separatingl members and above the bottom edge of saidcaseA walls, said bar members adapted. to cooperate with-the bases of 'two rows of longitudinallyI aligned receptacles retained Within said separatingmembers andV normally Vremainin a balanced horizontal position, linkage means having handle means connected to said bar membersl whereby said bar members maybe pivoted from said horizontal position to a vertical position and in alignment with said separatingY members when moving said handle means therebymovingsaid bar members out of cooperation with the base of said receptacles.

5. A receptacle case case having vertical side and endwalls and open at the top and bottom, a' plurality of thin at bar holding members having extending shafts at each end, said end walls provided with bearing apertures, said shafts pivotally registering in said bearing. apertures said bar members adapted to cooperate with the bottom edge of two longitudinally.v aligned rows of receptaclesv within said case when said bar members are in a horizontalA position, linkage means cooperating with said shafts, said4 linkage means having,v stop means. for retaining said bar holding members in a horizontal position and moving means for pivoting said bar holding members into a vertical position within said receptacle case above the bottom edge of said side and end walls out of cooperation with the bottom edge of receptacles within said case.

6. A rectangular receptacle case having end and side walls, a plurality of horizontally spaced vertical separating members, the ends of said separating members allxed to the inside of said end walls, said separating members adapted to longitudinally align a plurality of receptacles, flat bar members having a longitudinally extending shaft protruding from the ends thereof, said end walls provided with an annular bearing aperture near the bottom thereof and vertically aligned with said separating members, said bar member shafts pivotally registering within said bearing apertures, linkage means rotatably connected to the shafts o f said bar means, said linkage means comprising a pair of interconnected linking arms, a vertical slidable rod having a centrally disposed cross bar handle, a pair of vertically spaced bearings aiXed to said end wall and surrounding said vertical rod, a collar aixed to said shaft and movable therewith between said bearings, one end each of said pair linking arms pivotally atixed to said collar, the other end of each of said pair of linking arms integrally affixed to said bar member shafts, whereby said linking arms pivot said bar member from a normal horizontal position to a vertical position when said vertical rod and collar are moved upwardly.

7. A receptacle case having vertical end and side walls, a plurality of horizontal spaced vertical disposed separating members affixed to the inside of said end walls, said separating members adapted to longitudinally align a plurality of receptacles having a base, thin flat bar members having shafts extending from the ends thereof, said shafts pivotally axed to said end walls below said separating members, said flat bar members adapted to be vertically aligned with said separating members when pivoted from a horizontal to a Vertical position, said bar members adapted to cooperate with the bottom edge of the base of receptacles aligned between said separating members, a vertically movable handle provided with a collar, a pair of vertically spaced bearings aixed to one of said end walls and adapted to retain said handle, said collar affixed to said handle between said bearings and having limited vertical motion therebetween, a pair of linking arms, one end of each of said pair of linking arms pivotally afxed to said collar, the other end of veach of said pair of linking arms integrally aftixed to said bar shaft member whereby said bar member is pivoted from a horizontal to a vertical position out of cooperation with the bottom edge of said receptacles when said vertical rod is moved up- Wardly.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 758,369 Laible Apr. 26, 1904 899,924 Valerius Sept. 29, 1908 1,141,062 Johnson et al. May 25, 1915 2,313,355 Mordy Mar. 9, 1943 2,428,501 Otis et al. Oct. 7, 1947 2,600,467 Bowler June 17, 1952 (SEAL) UNITED s'iATEs PATENT oFFIcE CERTIFICATION 0F CORRECTION- i N\ october 24,1961

Patent No. 3,005,568

John W.. Clune et al.

It is h'ereby certified that error appears in the above numbered pat ent requiring correction and 'that the saidLetters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 4, linev 28,. for f'",1oosed""xv read plurality of longitudinal and transverse vertically disposed; line# 66, strike out "case-"F, second occur-rence; column 5g line 24, after end'" insert of ligne 32', for "horizontal", spaced Yertical-readF- horizontally spaced vertically 4Signed and sealed this 3rd dayy of April 1962,`

Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDE':

Attesting Officer DAVID'L.` LADD Commissioner of Patenti 

